Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-11-26
TAX REDUCTION.
TIE oAK-vIEw TARIFF CONFERENCE
NEVER was HELD.
Neither tho President Eor Carlisle Has
Tried to Franc Tarif-Lesders OF
Opposing Views to Confer.

From Washington ~ n hCNiuiV WY
graphs TO his paper, the Philadelphia
| Times. as follows The respective atti-
tudes of prominent Democratic leaders
and the probable attitude of the Demo
cratic party in the House on tariff re-
vision and revenue reduction have been
greatly confused and obscured by sensa-
tional reports from Washington, and it
would be well to have the correct sliua-
ton presented. L feel fully warranted
in making the following statements
i. What is commonly called the Oak
View tariff conference, at which 1t is
supposed that the President, Speaker
Carlisle. and Congressman Scott decided
upon tariff reduction policy Tor the
next Congress as an Administration mea-
sure. was not tariff conference or any
other kind Of conference at all, and
the tariff or revenue question was not
discussed except incidentally as other
questions Of public interest were dis
cussed.
2. There has never been conference
with the President by Carlisle or any
others. with the view of deciding upon a
revenue measure 10 be presented 10 the
House and there has never been sn at
tempt by either the Administration or
Speaker Carlisle, or by any acting IN
supposed concert or sympathy with hem.
or either of them, to settle even basis
Of tariff revision, much less tariff details.
3. Mr.. Carlisle will be elected Speaker
by the united Democratic vote, and It Is
no secret that he does not propose to at
tempt to enforce any particular tariff
policy upon the party by the special re-
COQnitiOn or special rejection OF prOml-
ncut men because OF their views on the
tariff Theassumption that Mr.. Randall,
or any sharing bis sentiments in support
of protection, viii be degraded because
of presumed differences with the Speaker
on the subject, has never been enter
tanned by Mr.. Carlisle.
Z. There will be no attempt to frame
q tariff bill or q bill reducing internal
taxation until there can be the fullest
and frankest conference of the repre-
scutatiyes Of all shades of conviction on
the subject There viii be no attempt
made by any responsible Democratic au-
thoritv in the House or ont Of it to re-
wise the tariff on any other basis than the
distinct recognition Of protection 10 la
Dor, and tariff revision will be approach
cd on the avOWed theory OF promoting the
interests OF ali general productive indus
tries. including the protection OF the
wages OF labor against competitive in
dustry abroad.
D. The minimum of tax reduction
necessary TO protect the business inter
ests Of the country from probable dis
tress or panic is $50 100000, and opin-
ions vary from 3Co, 600 coo TO $50 0O0, 900
rs the reduction that is indispensable to
business and financial safety, with the
dominant sentiment in favor of $50, Co.,
600. The excess of revenue this year
over actual Government expenses, exclu
siye OF the sinking fund, will be in
round numbers $4,000, 900. Many of
tine most conservative men OF both par
ties believe that the amount given TO the
sinking fund should now be limited TO
the sum pledged to the Government
creditors, which would warrant a reduc-
ton OF over $50, 600, 900 of revenue.
@. While there are wide differences on
tariff revision and internal tax reduction
in both parties, which may result in the
defeat OF all legislation on the subject, it
now seems molc than possible that there
will be substantial agreement in the end
between the Democrats, and a hill
framed 10 command solid Democratic
vote with some eastern and western Re-
publican support. The passage Of such
q bill by the House would assure its
passage in the Senate, as there are Re
publican Senators as we'll as Representa-
riyes in New England and in the West
who would be likely to vote for any hill
that commands the support of the pro-
lection Democrats.
:. 1t is certain that no effort will be
made to revise the tariff on a free-trade
basis. There are many Democrats and
some Republicans who would be glad to
see such tariff revision, but no party
dare accept responsibility for it, and the
necessity for tax and revenue reduction
is so imperious 10 assure business sta
bliity that all may agree to tariff rednc-
ton on the long accepted basis OF in
cidental protection to all general indus
tries. There viii be friction between
extreme views. Those with free-trade
prochyitics Will seek to reduce protection
to the minimum, and those with protec-
ton tendencies will seek to limit the
free list to save industries which are
large enough only to be disputed as gene
raj productive industries but n medium
basis of agreement may be reached in
view of the universal demand for largely
reduced revenues.
9. Itissafe 10 assume that the tobacco
tax Will bee repealed if any tax reduction
shall be attained, and the modification
OF the liquor-taX may be made to include
rebate for all used in mechanical, medi-
cinal, and scientific purposes. The whis-
key-taX will not be repealed, simply be-
cause it can't be done. Protectonists
would like to repeal all internal taxes and
force the Government TO the tariff for ali
revenues. Free Traders would like TO
maintain all internal taxes TO force the
reduction of the tariff to the lowest
standard Neither can succeed, and both
Will probably take the half-loaf as prefer
able to none, as revenue reduction is the
one necessity TINT no party dare refuse
to obey,
9. The Presidents forthcoming mes
sage is certain to be very emphatic and
absolutely unanswerable in the demand
for revenue reduction. The argument
in us favor is two-fold-frst the indus
tries OF the country are wautonly taxed
not less than $4,000, 600; and, second,
the boarding of hundreds OF millions in
the Treasury must. sooner or later, and
soon at the latest, prcci pitate panic and
general business revulsion and paralysis.
With this Executive demand will doubt
less come an equally emphatic de-
mand for tariff revision on the
basis OF protecting the labor Of
the country. | believe that the
basis of tariff revision and reve-
me reduction to be recommended
by the President will be accepted in
good faith by Speaker Carlisle, and the
agreement of hitherto disputing factions
will thus be attained as to the basis of
revenue reform, leaving only details to
be adjusted. Tariff revision and tax re-
duction, while not absoluJel y assured in
tine coming Congress, are not only pos
sible but quite probable, and upon a
4 Al L.. -.